Developments and Progress in Non-contact Eye Tonometer Calibration

This paper focuses on the problematic of intraocular pressure (IOP) measurements, performed by non-invasive methods. More specifically, the devices that are connected with the presented finding are non-contact tonometers that use concentrated air stream and optical sensors to determine the IOP within a human’s eye. The paper analyzes various influential factors that have an effect on the determination of the IOP values originating from the patients themselves and from the non-contact tonometer devices. The paper furthermore elaborates on the lack of independent methods of calibration and control of these devices. In order to fill this gap a measurement standard device that is capable of calibrating and testing these devices with traceability to the basic SI unit is presented. A detailed characterization and the determination of the expected uncertainty of the device are provided. By introducing an independent and traceable calibration method and control of non-contact tonometers into the clinical practice, the reliability of the measured IOP that is the primary indicator of glaucoma can be improved.